My advice to anybody thinking of purchasing one of these machines is buy one,buy one, buy one. They are a remarkable machine.

Actually, I like the Bobtail fender – had one on my ‘85 FXWG that I owned for 23 years. I have 2300 miles on the STSSE2 and it runs well. I buried the needle at 120 MPH – she had more – but unable to tell ya top end.

Actually, as I get accustomed to her – she runs better each day…though a couple of concerns. On a hot day (93+ degrees and humid) I did experience back firing (6 or 7 times) through the free flowing air-filter when shifting at lower speeds. One back fire actually shut the bike down headin’ up an on-ramp. I’m unsure if it was the electronic module, bas gas or “operator error” – doubt that and she hasn’t done it since? Now that Laconia is over H-D tells me they’ll diagnose it.

As for the pipes – I never liked any H-D stock pipes – and these are too quiet and large. Nice rumble but not enough to “hear” the motor. For years my ‘85 had no speedo, no tach – I listened to her 2″ anti-reversionary drag pipes to indicate shift time and speed. The STSSE2 18″ front and 200 rear wheel is obviously a much different ride than my ‘85 21″ wheel in which I that I raked the neck and remounted rear shock tabs to prevent “nose-dives.” The rides comfortable but on two occasions when making a sharp/lean left corner at ~50 MPH – unfortunately, I succeeded tappin’ the riders peg and that was a huge disappointment.

As for the starter – I realize its 110″ – but every now and then the starter “bangs” like hell. I swear it’s not disengaging and it’s going to damage the inner primary – but H-D tells me – it’s “fine” (no, I don’t believe everything I hear).

For the past 15 years – I had short tight pull-back drag bars on the ‘85 – so maybe it’s gonna take some time. Even though the stock bars on the STSSE2 are very comfortable & look fine – too wide for my likes.

Like the hydraulic clutch, as always, excellent quality paint and the ground-in flames are a cool idea (NOTE: if you nick/scratch through the clear-coat covering the flames – rust WILL set in quickly if not repaired, the motor’s relatively “quiet”, and as it should have – good power bands with 110 ft/lbs @ 3000 RPM (at 70 MPH she’s a cool 2600 RPM), the motor’s grey powder-coat is cool – looks great with the black diamond paint and smoked flames, great front and especially rear lighting, the 6-speed is very nice (though I’m a 4-speed kinda guy, no what I mean?) and shifts extremely smooth, the dash lights are red and though unneeded, the 6-speed indicator light is lime-green? and impossible to read in day-light, the chrome is excellent quality and “in my opinion” tastefully done, braking is on the weak side and dual front calipers are needed (she weights in at 714 lbs.), a low comfortable ride at 24.5″ – I haven’t and won’t be riding bitch but from the look of the passenger seating it’s too thin for long-hauls ( a 4″ or 6″ back-rest would work well and look good), tear-drop rear-view mirrors look OK and work well (too large for my taste), the 200 rear-tire gets a lot of attention and looks great with the BOB-TAIL, as for the 10-spoke chrome wheels – well???, though they look OK and very easy maintenance – their not for me, nice smooth ride but without doubt conventional rear shocks and telescopic front forks provide much more comfort and superior handling – but this set-up is all ’bout the “look”, the security system’s a nice feature but does take some effort to change settings and the on-off audible alarm – actually, it’s a freakin’ production.

I’m glad to own her – nice upgrade for the ‘85, so far over-all she runs very well, has a unique and great lean look, tastefully done, many nice features…Bottom line – “SHE IS WHAT SHE IS.”

Sorry I sold my ‘85 FXWG – sure do miss the 4-speed kicker – not once in 23 years did she ever fail to get me home – even when I was “blinded by-the-night”, sorta speak. She was a good ole gal.

Please help
Dave!

07 Deuce

I can’t understand the comments about the bobtail fender or the fender brackets on the rear. I love bobtail fenders and I even had one on my 2005 Wide Glide. As far as the fender brackets go; What’s the problem? They are a staple of the softail family (especially the Fatboys) since their inception. They don’t look metric at all!

What’s going on here, is that there are certain people who are jealous and bitter. They either have limited intellegence or are complete morons. Do me a favor and do the research before you make unfounded comments. The world will be a better place!

Remember…Boost our economy; Not theirs! Buy American!

Trog (Harley Owner and Proud of it!)

I’ve also been crazy enough to go for one of these ´08 SE Springers and should arrive in a couple of weeks time. I chose the 105 color scheme 1.- because it looks great on this bike (not quite so on the other CVO´s IMHO) 2.- hope it keeps its value better than the others.

I love the tires from the technical point of view; both radials and perfect size for road carving; I now have a 2007 FXDC and it is fine in the handling department, but I know NOTHING about the Springer forks. I know many will like to wring my neck when I say this, but it is how I feel; I think that the way the rest of the bike is designed, a good set of USD forks with tubes the size of my Dyna (49 mm dia.) would have made this bike outperform any other Harley, including the V-Rod. Of course, I would also include with the kit a good set of discs and Brembo callipers. Ok, now that I’ve said it, does anyone think the same way?

And from those who already own the bike, how do those springs and single piston brake behave? Maybe I’m wrong and the bike is only meant for straight and slow rides…..

One way or the other, I’m getting one in less that two weeks so I will soon learn.

Thanks,
Spanish Flyer

p.s. The back fender with the LED tail light is HOT.